Enforcement Of Texas Sonogram Law Begins Tuesday; Women To Be Treated Like Children

— As of October, the abortion doctor, not an ultrasound technician, had to meet the woman seeking an abortion at least 24 hours ahead of the procedure to perform a sonogram, describe the medical risks of an abortion and determine the gestational age of the fetus. If a woman lives more than 100 miles from an abortion provider, the 24-hour requirement becomes two hours.

— Starting last month, the abortion provider had to begin displaying the sonogram images, making the heartbeat audible, and providing a verbal explanation of the sonogram results to the woman.

— A pregnant women can choose not to view the sonogram or hear the heartbeat, but she can only opt out of hearing the description of the fetus only if she certifies in writing that she was the victim of sexual assault or incest, or that the fetus has an irreversible medical condition.